Managing Engineering Changes

Before you start

The process can only be started for items and documents which are identified in the respective item or document file as using ECO management for any engineering changes. Additionally, the following basic data must be defined:

• The change priority is defined in 'Engineering Change Order Priority. Open' (ECS232).
• A number series is entered in 'Number Series. Open' (CRS165).
• Change order types are defined in 'Engineering Change Order Type. Open' (ECS230).

Outcome

An engineering change is implemented after using this process.

Follow these steps

The process is started when a requirement for an engineering change occurs. The section below describes the activities in this process.

1. Engineering Change Order

   This activity involves creating the engineering or recipe change order by defining the exact changes to be made. Additional optional activities to be performed before the changes can be approved are specified, as well as the person responsible for these activities being completed. A recipient for each change order document is also defined here.

   The order is then printed and distributed manually as described in sub-process Engineering Change Order.

2. Confirmation of Change Activity

   Each optional activity performed must be acknowledged when completed. This is done in 'Engineering Change Order Activities' (ECS430). Completion is acknowledged when field Actual completion date is filled in.

3. Approval of Change

   The person responsible for the change order must ensure that each optional activity is acknowledged and then approve the change order. This is done by entering status 80 for the activity in field Actual completion date in 'Engineering Change Order. Open' (ECS420).

   A change message can then be printed and sent to those needing to be informed.

4. Implementation of Change

   This activity includes implementing the changes approved in the change order. This is done automatically during the night run when the required implementation criteria are met.

   When the change is introduced, the status of the corresponding order line is raised to 90. The status for each order line in the change order is raised in this way until all are raised. The order header status is then updated to status 90, as well.